Southport Inbound Day 4

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 29 14S 155 13E steering 270M, motor-sailing under single-reefed main at 3.5 knots.  The wind was 8G12 from the NNW.  Our noon to noon distances were 108nm by the log and 115nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 1101nm and 1164nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 122nm.

Setting sun yesterday

Yesterday afternoon we sailed WNW in a light SW wind.  As predicted it died early in the evening.  The engine came on at 2000 and hasn't been off since.  A bit tedious but we're making progress.

Dawn today

This morning the wind gradually backed around to the E then N.  This precedes a cold front / southerly buster coming up the coast.  This far north its predicted to get up to 25G30 from the SSW.  Right now here's a sloppy sea from the N and left-over swell from the S.  By mid-afternoon we should be able to tack N and sail.  Once we tack and resume sailing the wind should free until we're broad reaching home.

The ABF (Australian Border Force) and DAFF (Dept of Ag, Fish & Forests) know we are coming.  They will meet us at Southport YC's quarantine dock.  Our current ETA is 1500 tomorrow.

Trust all's well where you are.

Southport Inbound Day 3

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 30 02S 157 02E steering 285M, sailing under single-reefed main and full yankee at 5 knots.  The wind was 13G17 from the S.  Our noon to noon distances were 101nm by the log and 99nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 993nm and 1048nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 227nm.  Just a Freo to Geraldton.

Sailing yesterday afternoon

Yesterday afternoon we managed to keep sailing until 1730.  The sails were starting to slat in the dying breeze.  We motored until 0700 (still on NZ time by the way).  The seas and swell gradually eased overnight.

Fishing Vessel shooting its nets

Overnight we carefully made our way between the array of fishing vessels shown in yesterday's blog post.  One Australian fishing vessel passed a few miles in front of us shooting her nets with AIS marker buoys several miles apart.  We called her on VHF and the skipper advised we were fine to cross the nets.  Apparently the net tops are at least 15m down, further well away from the buoys.  In the screenshot above you can see a set of AIS transmitters on the boat ready to launch.

Morning clouds

At 0300 this morning we started motor-sailing in a light S breeze.  By 0700 the breeze filled in to 12G15 and we killed the engine.  The wind is expected to die tonight again, and stay light most of tomorrow.  Tomorrow night the wind should return, from a southerly buster forecast to just reach Brisbane.  

Sailing this morning

Trust all's well where you are!

Southport Inbound Day 2

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 30 47S 158 41E steering 300M, sailing under double-reefed main and double-furled yankee at 5 knots.  The wind was 16G22 from the NE.  Our noon to noon distances were 102nm by the log and 114nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 892nm and 950nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 323nm.

Something missing?

Yesterday afternoon and evening the winds held in at 20G30 from the E.  We copped several more side-swipes, one of which was by far the biggest yet.  It felt like we'd been T-boned.  The green water jumped over the windward rail-mounted solar panel and punched the leeward panel clean out of its frame.  See the photo above.

After midnight the winds ever so slowly started to back and ease.  At dawn we set the main double-reefed.  Initially we furled the yankee to its tripled-furled position but later this morning could ease more out to double-furled.

Dawn this morning

WindPilot 'Kazi' - the star of the show

Throughout this passage we've been watching MarineTraffic.com to keep an eye out for distant traffic.  We're currently 40nm E of a set of Australia fishing vessels, each with a large array of - we think - buoys.  None visible on local AIS yet.  We've been adjusting our course to pass through them with maximum clearance.  The screenshot below shows us on the right and a set of targets to our W.  Very helpful to identify these hazards before we're "in amongst 'em".

MarineTraffic view - fishing fleet ahead!

The wind is forecast to gradually die this afternoon and evening.  We may well be motoring later tonight.

Trust all's well where you are.